Cahill's anxious to blunt Blades

Dec 11 2006

LIFELONG Sheffield Wednesday fan Gary Cahill heads on to rival territory with Villa tonight looking to dent the Blades revival.

Cahill, who turns 21 in eight days, will take great delight in stepping out in his home town in front of his family.

The centre-back actually played for Burnley on loan at United in March 2005 and will be hoping not to suffer a similar fate as he did when Alan Quinn and Andy Gray handed the home side a 2-1 win.

Cahill, who will play his sixth successive game - equalling his best run from last season, admits tonight's game has an added incentive for him because of his family ties in the steel city.

"This is obviously just another game, but it has got an extra edge to it in my eyes, given that I was brought up a Wednesday fan", he said.

"All my family are based in Sheffield and it will be a great occasion if I'm lucky enough to be selected.

"I follow the fortunes of both the teams and Chesterfield as well. I do like to see them doing well, but Sheffield Wednesday are my team, so this will be a bit special for me.

"I'll have members of my family there to make it extra special, but at the end of the day I just want three points and hopefully a good performance from myself."

Villa head into the game without suspended skipper Gareth Barry with Wilfred Bouma likely to start.

Chris Sutton could return after a three-game absence with a calf injury.